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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Live at Google

We are long past the idea that indie rock means being on an indie label or doing things the hard way. After all, music is music, so what does it matter? That said, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are an indie band in all senses of the word -- there was no headlining tour or major label deal. The key to their success is the group’s ability to balance the immediacy of a well crafted pop song with intricately layered arrangements that only slowly reveal themselves. In this regard, CYHSY exalted NYC bands as Talking Heads and Television and also presaged acts like Vampire Weekend and Foster the People.

"Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth" Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

"Maniac" Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

After taking a break to pursue myriad solo and side projects, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have released Hysterical, their third self-distributed album, which moves forward sonically from their two previous bestsellers without sacrificing any of the pop hooks. When they stopped by Google for a high energy concert and a laid-back interview, they played old hits such as “Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth” as well as new singles like “Maniac.” While yowling vocalist Alec Ounsworth kept things centered, his band mates roamed the stage and exchanged instruments with the ease of such compatriots as Arcade Fire and Belle & Sebastian. This isn’t a band that relies on an outside producer to tweak things in the studio; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah pull it off live just like they handle everything else: by themselves. They succeed on their own terms, indie to the core. -- Nick Dedina